How much does a packet of yeast weigh?

In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “how much does a packet of yeast weigh” with an in-depth analysis of how much a packet of yeast weighs. Moreover, we are going to discuss yeast substitution and the factors that affect the shelf life of yeast.

So without much ado, let’s dive in and figure out more about it.

How much does a packet of yeast weigh?

When it comes to different manufacturers, the weight of a packet of yeast differs. For instance, in the case of Red star yeast, each strip contains 3 packs of yeast and each of the packs is considered as a packet. So one packet of Red star yeast weighs about ¼ oz which roughly is equivalent to 2 ¼ tsp of yeast. It is also equal to 7 grams or 11 ml.

According to research, the global yeast market was valued at around USD 3,230 million in the year of 2016 and it is expected to reach approximately USD 5,417 million by 2022. This market is expected to exhibit a compound annual growth rate, CAGR of around 9% between 2017 until 2022. From the year of 2016, the global yeast market will increase steadily until 2022 (1).

Bread machine yeast

1 packet of bread machine yeast weighs about ¼ oz or 2 ¼ tsp.

Active dry yeast

1 packet of active dry yeast weighs about ¼ oz or 2 ¼ tsp.

Instant dry yeast

1 packet of instant dry yeast weighs about ¼ oz or 2 ¼ tsp.

Rapid rise yeast

1 packet of rapid rise yeast weighs about ¼ oz or 2 ¼ tsp.

Yeast substitution guide

If we talk about a cube of fresh compressed or cake yeast then it is equivalent to 1 packet of instant yeast, bread machine yeast, rapid rise yeast, or dry active yeast.

Thus if you want to substitute 1 packet of dry active yeast in a recipe with fresh compressed yeast or cake yeast then you have to add 1 cube of it which roughly is equal to 0.6 ounces.

Moreover, if you want to substitute 1 packet of active dry yeast with yeast starter then you have to use 1 cup of yeast starter.

What is the shelf life of yeast?

Fresh compressed yeast

Fresh compressed yeast has a short shelf life and lasts for about 4 weeks when properly stored (3).

Cake yeast

Cake yeast is a perishable commodity and lasts for about 4-6 weeks when properly stored in a fridge. The shelf life of the yeast may also be limited by mold growth after 3-4 weeks of storage (3).

Active dry yeast

Open active dry yeast lasts for about 4 months in the fridge when kept at or below 40 °F in an air-tight container or plastic zipper bag. Moreover, unopened dry active yeast lasts for about 12 months when stored in a cool, dry, and dark corner of the pantry or kitchen cabinet when packed under vacuum or nitrogen (2). Active dry yeast loses some activity upon storage when exposed to the oxygen of the air. For storage under nitrogen, or when vacuum packed, the loss is about 1 % per month and generally less than 10% per year (3).

Instant dry yeast

Commercially packaged dry, unopened instant yeast lasts for about 24 months when stored in a cool, dry, and dark place away from direct sunlight, heat, and humidity, when packed under vacuum or nitrogen (2). Thus, you can store an unopened pack of dry yeast in a cool and dry corner of your pantry. 

Once you have opened the package of the yeast it is best to store it in a plastic zipper bag or an air-tight container so that no moisture will find its way to the yeast.

The shelf life of yeast can be extended when stored  in the freezer, if stored properly (5). Care should be taken while storing yeast in the freezer, you should always store the yeast in plastic freezer bags or an air-tight container to preserve its freshness for a long time. However, frozen yeast may not have the same properties as fresh yeast. Studies showed that freezing and frozen storage of compressed yeast at –18°C produced an increase of dead cells and caused losses of CO2 production; baking quality reflected the lower specific loaf volume and longer proof times (4).

It is worth mentioning that the sunlight, air, and moisture can degrade the quality of the dry yeast and can also shorten its shelf life therefore care should be taken while handling the yeast. You should always remember that you should not use a wet spoon to scoop out the dry yeast and you should always close the lid of the jar as soon as you scoop out the dry yeast so that the moisture won’t find its way in your yeast and spoil it.

What are the factors that can degrade the quality of yeast?

  1. High temperature
  2. Temperature fluctuations
  3. Moisture
  4. Direct sunlight
  5. Air (6)

So if you notice the dry yeast clumping together, or if there are large lumps present in the yeast, or if there are any signs of organic growth in the container of yeast, then it is an indication that your yeast has gone bad, this mainly happens when a lot of moisture finds its way to your dry yeast. Therefore it is advised never to store the yeast in a humid environment. In the presence of moisture, a structural reorganization leading to aggregation may take place during storage (7). This happens due to the hygroscopic nature of the dried yeast.

Moreover in the case of the fresh yeast, if you see some mold, or if there is discoloration or dry texture, then it is the indication of bad yeast.

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we answered the question “how much does a packet of yeast weigh” with an in-depth analysis of how much a packet of yeast weighs. Moreover, we discussed yeast substitution and the factors that affect the shelf life of yeast.

Citations

  1. Yusof, Abdul Halim, et al. Potential application of pineapple waste as a fermentation substrate in yeast production. Int. J. Sci. Technol. Res, 2020, 9, 1933-1937. 
  2. Hidalgo, A., and A. Brandolini. Bread—Bread from Wheat Flour. Encyclopedia of Food Microbiology; Batt, CA, Tortorello, ML, Eds. 2014, 303-308. 
  3. Reed, G., Nagodawithana, T.W. 1991. Baker’s Yeast Production. In: Yeast Technology. Springer, Dordrecht. 
  4. Ribotta, Pablo D., Alberto E. León, and María Cristina Añón. Effects of yeast freezing in frozen dough. Cereal Chem, 2003, 80, 454-458.
  5. Simpson, Estelle, and R. P. Tracey. Microbiological Quality, Shelf Life and Fermentation Activity of Active Dried Yeast. South Afri J Enol Viticult, 1986, 7, 61-65.
  6. McCurdy, Sandra M., Joey D. Peutz, and Grace Wittman. Storing food for safety and quality. 2009.
  7. Partanen, Riitta, et al. Effect of relative humidity on oxidation of flaxseed oil in spray dried whey protein emulsions. J Agric Food Chem, 2008, 56, 5717-5722.

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